"It’s an old truism among journalists that if a headline ends in a question mark (”Is this the answer to the Bermuda Triangle?” “Did aliens build the Pyramids?” etc etc) there’s no need to read further. The answer is always “No”."

Why is there store stock in some places? (and can you name any....) Because not even Apple cn guess how much to send to every location in the world that sells iPhones. There are none within a 2 hour drive of my daughter. She has called everyone....

Why are they able to ship early on back orders? Because they have always done this. They under promise and over deliver on back orders. This is much better than over promising and under delivering. It's a strategy...

Did they pay people to stand in line? Of course not. Don't be an idiot. The demand is real. The shortages are real. They will sell 40,000,000 phones this quarter. Why in the world would they hold anything back.

plenty in stock in most of the stores.... continues on the third day.... every time, a line forms.... all can get one within 10 to 20 minutes.

Did apple pay people to stand in the line to look like that the demand is very high?

In fact, the demand is so low that so called delayed shipments are all delivered ahead of schedule....

is apple trying to manipulate the news so that their executives can unload their stocks before people realize? I don't know. but it's worth asking....

ha wish I was over where you're at! I can't find one iphone 5 within 20-30 miles of me....I have been calling the apple store, best buys, radio shacks almost everyday since it launched and they are all sold out, can't find one!

plenty in stock in most of the stores.... continues on the third day.... every time, a line forms.... all can get one within 10 to 20 minutes.

Did apple pay people to stand in the line to look like that the demand is very high?

In fact, the demand is so low that so called delayed shipments are all delivered ahead of schedule....

is apple trying to manipulate the news so that their executives can unload their stocks before people realize? I don't know. but it's worth asking....

Yes, you are correct. Apple decided to hire thousands of people in New York City and throughout the nation just to stand in front of their stores to give this magical illusion. The paid participants also appeared to be purchasing the phone, but in all reality, they walked out with an empty iphone 5 box but it looks like they walked out with the product. All of this is a conspiracy. The iPhone 5 does not exist and we are all being paid to act like we are all purchasing one/have one.

You live in the Bay Area and you're telling me there was plenty of stock laying around the first three days of release for the iPhone 5? Your state in general had one of the worst shortages in the nation. Nice try troll.

Hey Apple, you want to make some waves? Come out with an inexpensive iPhone that everyone can afford, like the VW. Be creative in design and function, doesn't have to be a smart phone, keep the price limit under $20. Crazy you say, it would give new life to a company that has become FAT in their thinking and self satisfied with their earnings!! Steve said don't be like me, but I'm thinking do be like him and don't be satisfied with what you have done before!!!